Tall Fescue
Festuca arundinacea (now Schedonorus arundinaceus) · Cool-season, Perennial, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Erosion Control
Variety / Cultivar
Turf-Type Tall Fescue (TTTF); likely a modern cultivar such as 'Rebel' or 'Falcon' series based on high density and medium-fine texture.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 4-7; adapts best to the Transition Zone where it survives both heat and cold.
About This Grass
A dense, cool-season turfgrass with a deep green color. It forms a uniform canopy when seeded heavily. It maintains color well into the fall and stays green longer during summer heat compared to other cool-season grasses.
Blade Characteristics
Medium blade width (approx 3-4mm), flat shape, pointed tip. Visible longitudinal ribs/veins on the upper leaf surface. Vernation is rolled in the bud. Ligule is short and membranous; auricles are typically absent or small and non-clasping.
Root System
Deep fibrous root system (often reaching 2-3 feet deep), which provides excellent drought resistance. Low thatch tendency due to bunching habit. Establishment speed is moderate (faster than bluegrass, slower than ryegrass).
Growing Information
Origin Region
Europe and North Africa; naturalized throughout North America, especially in the Transition Zone.
Growth Habit
Bunch-type (clumping). It spreads primarily through tillering; some modern cultivars have short rhizomes but it lacks significant spreading ability.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade; requires at least 4-6 hours of sun. Moderate water needs, but highest drought tolerance among cool-season grasses due to deep roots. Prefers well-drained soil with pH 5.5-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Ideal height 2.5-4.0 inches. Lower heights stress the plant. Requires 2-4 lbs Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft annually. Low to medium maintenance; requires periodic overseeding because it does not spread to fill bare spots.
Special Characteristics
Excellent traffic/wear tolerance, high heat tolerance for a cool-season grass, and good resistance to Brown Patch and Leaf Spot. Not salt tolerant. Unlike Bluegrass, it does not have a boat-shaped tip.
Ecological Information
Introduced species in North America. Provides good soil stabilization and water filtration. Frequently used in mixtures with Kentucky Bluegrass (90/10 ratio) to improve durability and shade tolerance of a lawn.